Tips to build your own Pergola
Here at Adopt-A-Contractor we love to give you amazing ideas to renovate your home: from decoration tips to big remodels we are always interested in keeping it updated and fun. This week we got inspired by one of our founders to write about pergolas so we though why not?!. The weather is perfect in most parts of the U.S and summer is very near so taking project outside sounds like the perfect idea.
Building this pergola can be the first step in planning a big remodel for your backyard, but for now let’s see what you need and some basic recommendations to build this. A pergola is usually a wood or vinyl structure that goes in your backyard, its main purpose is to cover you and your patio furniture from the sun but people have been adding and inventing new ways to use it as a decorative item.
Number one
If you are going to do this as a DIY project, educate yourself and ask 1 or maybe 2 people to help you. Do remember that this structure can really injure someone or your house if you don’t install it properly so if you feel that you are not very handy it’s better to request free quotes from one of our top rated professionals. The first thing you need to do is locate where your pergola is going, make sure you have enough space in your backyard and pick the perfect location for it.
Number two
Now that you have the where decided you need to pick the what, or in this case what type of pergola you want. There are many types and it all depends on your personal style and the type of house you have, remember that we always say that you can’t go to modern and simplistic on a Victorian house and vice versa. The most common types of pergolas are:
- Traditional/Open top
- Gabled
- Arched
- Promenade
- Pitched
You can also choose to have a Vinyl or a cedar (wood) type of pergola.
- Vinyl: It is immune to weather, insects, and rot and it usually lasts more than wood. On the down side they usually come in two colors: white and ivory.
- Cedar (wood): it can be stained or painted so you can be super creative with it, it is usually resistant to insects and harsh weather but remember that termites can appear and they are woods No. 1 enemy. It is long lasting also but you need to refinish it to give it more durability.
Remember that if you need some extra help just click here and we will get you the best professionals in your area.
Number three
Now that you know the what it is time to start the doing: Buy the materials to start your amazing project, usually in places like Home Depot or Lowe’s they can help you find everything you need. Now that you have everything you need and depending on the materials you chose you need to start shaping, painting and digging the holes where your pergola is going to be, after you have the hole you can put 4×4 EZ bases to secure the posts. After this you need to set up your main frame or support beams for the whole structure then you can start adding the rafters, usually people that live in hotter places prefer to have more rafters because it gives better protection from the sun. In every step make sure that everything is in place so you don’t have any unpleasant surprises in the future.
Number four
Finally the best part, and definitely the most fun: Decorate and buy the perfect furniture for your brand new pergola. You can choose to use drop cloth to give your pergola a fancy touch and you can also start growing climbing plants to make it even more beautiful. Some of the plants that you can use are:
- Rose
- Clematis
- Jasmine
- Wisteria
- Bougainvillea
- Grapevine
- Trumpet vine
Finally always remember that if you need a professional to help you with any project they are just one click away. Always remember that safety is number one so use protection if you are going to build this by yourself. Have a happy and blessed Memorial Day Weekend.
By Maria G Ruiz
